Just like you, Kangana Ranaut‘s teenage years were full of, well, teen-issues: acne, weak eye-sight and a weak back. Today, she she can horse-ride without a hint of back pain, read a lot and doesn’t wear glasses. What is the secret to her energised and healthy lifestyle? She opens up about her love for yoga and how it changed everything for her.

“Around 10 years ago before I got my first break, I was trailing around Juhu beach and saw a guy doing handstands, cartwheels; completely balanced and doing a full-split on one hand. I stood there watching and when he was done, he stood up and asked me what I was looking at. And I said I want to do all of that,” recalls Kangana Ranaut for her affinity towards yoga.

The Reebok brand ambassador swears by the practice’s miraculous effects, “Yoga is a gift and I actually think that I have survived due to it. Through meditation, pranayam and yoga postures, I could vent out a lot of restless energy. It brought a lot of spiritual and physical balance in me and I think it helped me gain qualities like perseverance and patience or controlling my impulses. I think I lasted and survived and could achieve all I have because of yoga.”

Here, she shares her 5 favourite yoga poses to combat everything from headaches to back pain:

1/5

To de-stress: Chakrasana

The wheel pose, a backward bending asana, gives great flexibility to the spine and opens up your body.

Image: Shutterstock

To start her day: Vrischika asana

An advanced level pose, it promotes balance and brings harmony to the body and mind. Practise of this asana increases blood flow to the brain and pituitary glands and revitalises all the body systems.

Image: Shutterstock

To energise: Naukasana

The boat pose helps in controlling many physical disorders. It strengthens the lungs, liver and pancreas, increases blood circulation and maintains sugar levels. It’s also a great way to tone abs.

Image: Shutterstock

To end her day: Padmasana

The lotus pose is considered one of the best poses for meditation and relieves mental stress. It brings calmness and helps in steadying the body and mind.

Image: Shutterstock

To cure headaches and back pain: Sirshasana

The headstand, where the body is completely inverted and held upright supported by the forearms, is the king of all asanas. It speeds up blood circulation and ensures enough oxygen reaches the brain, apart from other benefits.